O. C. Clarke

As printed in 1908

O. C. CLARKE, secretary and treasurer of the Springfield Abstract Company, has spent his entire life up to date in the City of Springfield, with the exception of a few years spent in Kansas and Missouri. A native of this city, he is a son of Charles E. and Mary C. (Christie) Clarke, who were born respectively in Decatur. Ga.. and Springfield, Ohio. Charles E. Clarke, the father, came to Springfield when a child of six or seven years, and here grew to manhood. He began business life in Dayton, Ohio, where he engaged in book publishing. Thence he went subsequently to Minnesota, where he was interested in real estate operations for a short time. At the end of that period, or about the commencement of the Civil War, he returned to Springfield. He next went to Missouri, where in 1862 he became a member of the State Militia, entering with the rank of captain and being later promoted to that of major. He resigned his commission in December, 1864, and again returned to Springfield. Here he remained but a short time, when he again took up his residence in Missouri, entering into the lumber business at Independence, of which place he was a resident for about five years. He then engaged in the real estate business at Fort Scott, Kansas, and was thus occupied for three years. While there his health failed and he once more returned to Springfield, Ohio, where he died March 12, 1876.

His wife, Mary, was a daughter of James S. and Laura (Beardsley) Christie, natives of New Hampshire and New York, respectively, who were married at Springfield, Ohio, in 1824, where they resided continuously until their decease, in 1884 and 1888, respectively. Mr. Christie, who was by trade a carpenter, engaged here in contracting and building, and also conducted a saw and plaiiing-mill for a number of years. He and his wife were the parents of five children, who attained maturity, namely: Sarah, Mary. Edward. Harlan and James. All are now deceased, with the exception of Mary and harlan. The father was a Republican politically, and a member of the Presby-

6i r, terian Churcli, being an elder for over fifty years of the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Oliver C. Clarke acquired his elementary education in the Springfield schools, and later became a student at Wittenberg College, from which he was duly graduated. He then began business life, entering the office of the Springfield Machine Company, in the employ of which concern he remained for some ten years. In 1895 he became interested in the abstract business, and subsequently organized, with others, the Springfield Abstract Company, which was incorporated, and of which Mr. Clarke has since been secretary and treasurer. He has also other business interests in Clark County, and is a member of the board of directors of the Merchants and Mechanics Savings and Loan Association. He takes no active interest in politics. Religiously he is connected by membership with the First Presbyterian Church, Springfield.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.